BT Openreach Copper Switch-off Programme
UK (National) · 2023-2027 (phased approach starting 2023, full switch-off by January 2027) [91, 92]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchPhased approach to stop selling copper products and migrate customers to fibre-based services [91]. - Delays in the analogue switch-off timeline, pushing the full transition to 2027 [93]. - The need for careful planning and communication to manage customer expectations and ensure a smooth transition.
Key engineering challenges
Migrating millions of customers from traditional copper landlines to digital voice services over fibre [92]. - Managing the technical complexities of decommissioning a vast legacy copper network while ensuring continuity of service. - Addressing challenges in areas where fibre is not yet available or difficult to deploy.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- BT Group (via Openreach)
- Lead contractor
- Openreach (with various contractors)
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- decommissioning; upgrade
- Scale
- Phased cessation of copper product sales across the UK, eventual switch-off of copper network.
- Disciplines
- Telecommunications engineering; network engineering; civil engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- Ofcom regulations, UK telecommunications industry standards.
Sources: [91] Openreach. Openreach puts the stopper on copper. https://www.openreach.com/news-and-opinion/2023/openreach-change-telephone-network (Accessed: 2026-06-10). [92] Uswitch. Digital Voice: The UK copper landline switch-off explained. https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/guides/digital-voice-copper-landline-switch-off-explained/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10). [93] Purple UC. UK Analogue Switch-Off Delayed to 2027: What You Need to Know. https://purpleuc.com/uk-analogue-switch-off-delayed-to-2027-what-you-need-to-know/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10). [94] The Digital Group. Copper Networks Switch Off – 2025. https://thedigitalgroup.co.uk/copper-networks-switch-off-2025/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10).